MOH spokesman, Dr. Muhammed Al-Abdulaali, said that a steady trend in the curve of confirmed COVID-19 cases is seen, explaining that 75% of the cases recently recorded are due to family gatherings, and that the pandemic is not over yet. He called on everyone to keep adhering to the precautionary measures until community immunity is reached, denying the rumors about eliminating the second COVID-19 dose in the Kingdom. The government's attempt to delay the second dose aims to ensure that the largest number of people receive the first dose to raise immunity level.
Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine in the Kingdom, the total number of doses given at various vaccine centers in the Kingdom is estimated to be 12,819,360. More than 590 centers have provided the vaccine.
1067 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Kingdom, bringing the total cases to 440,914. These include 8,975 active cases, still receiving medical care. Their health status is mostly stable, with the exception of 1,344 critical cases.
The MOH spokesman made this statement in the COVID-19 briefing held on Sunday, which also hosted the Ministry of Interior (MOI) spokesman, Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub and Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Sports for Media Affairs, Dr. Raja Allah Al-Sulami. Dr. Al-Abdulaali mentioned that 895 cases recoveries were reported, bringing the total number of recoveries to 424,690 to date. 12 new mortalities were also reported, bringing the total number of COVID-19 mortalities in the Kingdom to 7,249. Health services are still provided by all MOH centers and facilities. ‘Taakkad’ centers have conducted 10188720 swabs, and ‘Tetamman’ clinics have served 2,767,569 outpatients. They have also provided health and medical consultations to 36,503,196 beneficiaries through the (937) call center. And the total number of COVID-19 tests has amounted to 18,537,938 lab tests.
For his part, Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub said that the world is still struggling with COVID-19 and does its best to prevent its spread, and KSA is not an exception. The efforts of the wise government require everyone to stay committed to the preventive measures for everyone else to stay healthy and well and make the efforts worth it.
Based on the measures taken by the concerned authorities in the Kingdom to counter the Coronavirus to maintain public health, a decision by MOH will come in force starting from Sunday, 22 Dhul-Hijjah 1442H. Authorized immunization against the virus will become mandatory for individuals participating in economic, commercial, cultural, entertainment, or sports activities. It is also a requirement for entering cultural, scientific, social, or entertainment facilities (whether government or private). This applies in cases where individuals are entering for business or services. It is also a requirement for entering any government or private educational facility and use of public transport.
Regarding teachers and faculty members of universities and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) returning to their workplaces, the Ministries of Health and Education have agreed to specify the target age groups of students required to attend their classes. ‘Tawakkalna’ application will also be used in the process to check the immunization status of citizens and residents, while strictly enforcing the precautionary measures.
Travelers coming to the Kingdom need to register online before their arrival to receive the vaccine through a link that would direct them to the registration page. Registration is limited to citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and holders of new visas of all kinds.
Last week, 25,101 violations of the precautionary measures were found across all regions of the Kingdom. Legal measures were taken against the violators. Moreover, several violating gatherings were found in some regions of the Kingdom. Violators were penalized, whether owners of the violating facilities or the individuals who were present at these illegal gathering.
Lt. Col. Al-Shalhoub highlighted the penalties imposed on gatherings that violate the precautionary measures taken by the concerned authorities against the virus. They are SAR 10,000 for family gatherings, SAR 15,000 for non-family gatherings, SAR 40,000 for gatherings with social purposes (e.g. funerals, parties), and SAR 50,000 for gatherings of workers. Each person involved in the violation will have a fine of SAR 5,000 imposed on them.
If a violation was repeated, the penalty previously imposed would be doubled, with a maximum of SAR 100,000. Involved individuals will be referred to public prosecution on the second time in order for their imprisonment decision to be considered according to the followed legal procedures. A person who calls for or causes illegal gatherings will pay a fine of SAR 10,000. If that violation was repeated, the penalty previously imposed would be doubled, with a maximum of SAR 100,000 and the people involved would be referred to public prosecution in order for their imprisonment decision to be considered according to the followed legal procedures.
These penalties aim to impose social distancing and control social gatherings, which are a direct cause of the Coronavirus spread. Furthermore, violators of quarantine or isolation measures will have fines worth SAR 200,000 imposed on them, or a prison sentence of 2 years at most. In some cases both penalties may be applied. If a violation was repeated, the penalty previously imposed would be doubled. If the violation was committed by a non-Saudi individual, they shall be penalized by deportation from the Kingdom after imposing the penalty on them.
Al-Shalhoub called on everyone to adhere to the precautionary and preventive measures and regulations to limit gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus and achieve the main purpose of these protocols, which is making life return to normal. "We call on everyone to receive the vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves and their community from the pandemic. I ask Allah to save everyone from the effects of the pandemic and put an end to it,” Al-Shalhoub said.
Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Sports for Media Affairs, Dr. Raja Allah Al-Sulami touched on the subject of the followed protocols to allow people into sport facilities and fields. He stated that these facilities were prepared to receive the public and all preventive measures were applied.
Al-Sulami reviewed the groups allowed to enter stadiums and sports facilities. They include: Individuals who have taken one or two doses of the vaccine and individuals who are immunized and recovered from the virus. Checking their status will be done using (Tawakkalna) application. Moreover, all employees at these sport facilities will receive the COVID-19 vaccine and undergo a PCR swab before every round.
With regard to the statistics of applying the aforementioned health protocols, 59 violations by individuals from the public were recorded, 53 violations by employees of the technical and administrative staff of clubs, and 37 violations by individuals in gyms and sport centers. Furthermore, 172 violations were imposed on courts and sports centers.